For authors: I can't tell what the theme of my book is anymore...should I be worried?

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Nathalie

New member
Go with the flow! Let your writing carry you where it will. To not do so would be to nip your idea in the bud... for no reason other than a silly preconceived notion. Just because we like to put things into tidy "themes," doesn't mean that you have to follow the rules. Rules were meant to be bent and broken away from.
Let your own theme develop freely. Nurture it, allow it to blossom. If you truly put your heart into your work, it will be exquisitely beautiful, no matter how it is classified.
 
I didn't start out with a set-theme in mind but 20 pages in, through careful thinking, I set out one to follow. The thing is that although the writing of my book is working out fantastically, I'm not quite sure what my theme is anymore. It's not that the writing isn't deep or the ideas aren't sophisticated or anything, but I'm reading over my story and examining it and I can't figure out what my message is. I'm worried because looking my story over I realize that this is the best work I've ever created (it's deep, philosophical, artistic, creative, beautiful-- I'm serious its really good) but I'm worried about ruining it by not having my theme clearly set into place.

Now, I'm not sure whether to nurture or plunder: Should I stop writing until I can come up with a clear-cut message or should I let my theme develop and evolve until I can fully realize and appreciate it?
 
If your story has depth and is philosophical, then most likely it has a theme, even if you can't find it. You probably have several and they are just so convoluted that they are hard to isolate.

As a reader, I don't read a book for its theme. I look for a great plot and a well-written story that will leave me thinking long after I put down the book. From your description, it sounds like you already have all that. You're on the right track.

Don't stop writing! If you do, you'll have trouble picking up where you left off, even if you find a great theme. If it turns out that you really are lacking a theme and it's taking its toll on your story, you can always edit later. For now, go with the flow.
 
Let your theme develop. Don't worry about making it too clear-cut. As a reader (/writer) I know that a book is most enjoyable when everything, themes and all, isn't presented to you on a silver platter. You have to make your readers THINK! Besides, when a theme is developed, it also becomes a lot 'deeper' in a sense and it is easier to appreciate. It is also much more gentle upon the reader, but can still have a lasting impact.

But that's just my opinion. I think you should let it take control of itself, Let me know when you finish it. I should like to read it. :-) Have a good day.
 
Personally, I would NOT stop writing. You will lose your inspiration for that piece, and will then start to feel less passionate about it. You certainly wouldn't want that.

Sometimes with stories the themes aren't quite obvious at first, and they become more defined as it goes on.

I would keep thinking about this in the back of your mind -- maybe put your manuscript away for a few days or a week or so, and then reread it all -- but never stop writing. A common rule of thumb is to always progress yourself (even if you have to go back and rewrite / edit something, you should always be improving); whether that's through a few words, or a few thousand words.

Good luck. :}
 
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